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Cummins tops Australia's golden year

3 minute read

Australians finished as the top two run-scorers and wicket-takers in all Test cricket for just the fourth time in more than 100 years in a dominant 2019.

PAT CUMMINS
PAT CUMMINS Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Pat Cummins has produced the most dominant year by a fast bowler since Richard Hadlee in 1985 as Australia's male cricketers reasserted themselves in 2019.

Cummins' tremendous 12 months earned him 59 Test wickets at 20.14, some 14 more than teammate Nathan Lyon, who was second most successful (45 at 33.27).

The 14-wicket gap at the top is the biggest by a quick since New Zealand legend Hadlee's brilliant 1985, when he took 28 wickets more than any other bowler.

Cummins' haul caps one of Australia's best years in recent memory.

Marnus Labuschagne was the world's leading run-scorer in Test cricket with 1104 at 64.94. Steve Smith's triumphant return from his ban made him second in the rankings with 965 at 74.23.

Australians filled the top-two spots in the world's run-scoring and wicket-taking lists for just the fourth time in the past 100 years.

The last time they did so was 1993, when David Boon and Mark Taylor were the game's leading run-scorers while Shane Warne and Merv Hughes topped the wicket charts.

Australia's end-of-year record was 31 wins, nine losses and two draws across all formats.

They have flogged Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand at home in Tests and retained the Ashes in England for the first time in 18 years.

They also won ODI series in India and the UAE, but dropped out of the World Cup in the semi-finals.

Australia's win rate of 72 per cent - up from 35 per cent in 2018 - is their best since the golden era of 2006, the last full year Warne and Glenn McGrath played in the side.

Next year's Twenty20 World Cup at home shapes as the biggest challenge, as well as a Test tour of Bangladesh and hosting India.

Now back at No.2 in the world Test rankings, Australia are desperate to return to the top spot ahead of India.

"Our goal isn't finished yet, we've got a long way to go if we are to be the team we want to become," Lyon said.

"If we keep heading in the right direction in training every day to get better as a team I think the sky is the limit for this group.

"We can get better in every facet. It's going to be an exciting journey. It's going to be a hard journey, but there is going to be great reward at the end of it."

AUSTRALIA'S 2019 RECORD:

Tests - Won: 8, Drawn: 2, Lost: 2

ODI - Won: 16, Lost: 7

T20 - Won: 7, Lost: 0

WORLD'S TOP TEST BATSMEN:

Marnus Labuschagne: 1104 runs at 64.94

Steve Smith: 965 runs at 74.23.

WORLD'S TOP TEST BOWLERS:

Pat Cummins: 59 wickets at 20.14

Nathan Lyon: 45 wickets at 33.27

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